Obesity Surgery Information You Need To Know...

Hello, I'm Jane. Everyone knows that you have to be exceptionally careful before selecting any type of obesity surgery program.

That's why we've created this special page on our web site to inform you of the different options you have and to help you with your decision. Best of luck with your decision and always remember to listen to your doctor.

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Weight loss surgery is often seen as an "easy out" for people struggling with obesity, but it is actually not an easy road to walk down at all. If you are severely overweight and are considering surgery, there are some things to think about before setting the surgery date.

The original use of weight loss surgery (often known as bariatric surgery) was really not intended for weight loss at all. The procedure was used to remove large ulcers from patient's stomachs, or to prevent the spread of cancer from the stomach to other areas of the body. When doctor's removed part of the stomach they happened to notice that weight loss was a natural side effect. That is when some doctors started using the procedure to help patients struggling with obesity.

In general, you could be considered a potential surgery patient if you are 80 or more pounds overweight as a woman, or over 100 pounds overweight as a man. This is a very general guideline as only a qualified surgeon can really determine whether a specific individual is ready for surgery. If you go for a consultation with a surgeon they will review your medical background and give you a physical screening. They are also likely to send you for mental screening to ensure you want the surgery for the right reasons, are competent to go through the process, and can adjust to nutritional requirements after surgery. Nutritional counseling is also performed prior to and after the surgery.

Is Weight Loss Surgery Right For You?

For many people who seek surgery for weight loss, the risks of the surgery are not as scary as the risks of living obese. Many are diagnosed diabetics or are at serious risk for heart disease. Others may be suffering from gallstones, high blood pressure, and cholesterol levels that are out of control. These health risks lead them to their physician's office to talk about surgery because they do not want to live another day with these health risks hanging over their heads.

Options For Weight Loss Surgery

Although the original type of weight loss surgery procedures are not still performed today, there are two main kinds of techniques used for promoting healthy weight loss, malabsorptive and restrictive surgery.

Through a combination of eating less food because of one or both types of surgery while still getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals, healthy weight loss is definitely possible. Most all people lose weight rather quickly immediately following these surgeries and continue to do so for up to two years or more afterward, although most will regain some of those lost pounds with some even gaining all or more back. Making an informed decision ahead of time and staying in close communication with doctors and nutritionists or counselors can greatly help to make the adjustment following weight loss surgery.

- Malabsorptive Surgery: Commonly called gastric bypass surgery, this is the type of surgery most people are familiar with. It is often performed simultaneously with some type of restrictive surgery and the main goal is to reduce the amount of food that can be held by the stomach at one time, thus the amount absorbed into the body. This is accomplished by making the small intestine smaller and attaching it to the stomach in a location that makes the stomach smaller.

- Restrictive Surgery: This type of weight loss surgery is designed to completely remove a portion of the stomach, or at least block part of it off so it cannot be used. This is accomplished with a gastric band which makes the stomach smaller so only small amounts of food can be consumed at one time.

Every kind of surgery raises many questions, and obesity surgery is no different because it alters the way the stomach digests the food you eat. Many risks are involved with this type of surgery, but you can have a successful surgery and achieve great results if you know what to expect and what you need to do. Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this type of surgery are below. They can help you go into your obesity surgery with all your fears put to rest.

Which tests will I need before the surgery? The tests which are necessary will vary from person to person, but the basic tests include the following: chemistry panel, urinalysis, complete blood count, glucose tolerance test, EKG and a chest X-ray. Women might require a vaginal ultrasound to check for abnormalities. Some doctors like to do an ultrasound on the gallbladder and some may ask for other tests, such as a psychiatric evaluation, pulmonary function tests, a GI evaluation, an echocardiogram and, in some cases, a sleep study.

Why do I need to have so many tests? There are many tests that need to be performed in order to have obesity surgery. Many people think that the amount of tests needed are not necessary but the fact is that your doctor is trying to prevent any complications from arising both during and after surgery. The surgeon will need to have an accurate assessment of your health and your body so that they can do what is necessary for your particular surgery.

You will need to steer clear of butter, gravy, margarine and mayonnaise. It is also recommended that you stay away from all junk foods. You will need to drink at least 2 to 3 quarts of water each day but be sure to do it slowly and do not snack at all in between meals. Do not drink any flavored drinks and be sure to drink your fluids slowly doing one sip at a time.

Will I need to be on a special diet after the surgery? Absolutely. Your stomach will be unable to process the food you eat the same way it did before your surgery. You will need to follow special dietary guidelines very closely. Some patients may be put on a liquid diet immediately following the surgery, and you might be one of them. When your body tolerates the liquid diet well, you will be able to eat soft or semi-solid foods. Your stomach might not be ready to handle solid foods for several months.

If you try to push yourself too fast with the foods you eat, you might suffer from nausea and vomiting, or even diarrhea. You never want to stretch your stomach and tear open the new stomach pouch your surgeon created. When you begin eating solid foods you will only be able to eat two or three small meals a day. Your protein will need to come from chicken, turkey, fish and other low-fat sources.

Will I have any problems with hanging skin after I lose weight? Yes, but you can do some things to minimize this problem, including exercising every day after you recover from your obesity surgery. The standard recommendation to keep your body in shape is at at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise every day. Some people may require an operation to remove excess skin because their skin has stretched so much from being overweight for such a long period.

Have a detailed discussion with your doctor about every concern you have, so you know exactly what you can expect. There is a very good chance you will have to go through counseling both before and after your obesity surgery. The counseling will guide you through the entire process. It will help you handle the surgery and know what will be expected of you to allow your obesity surgery to succeed.

Any type of surgery raises a great deal of questions especially obesity surgery as this alters the way ones stomach processes the food that is digested. There are a great deal of risks involved with this type of surgery but knowing what to expect and what you need to do, you can have a successful surgery with great results. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding this type of surgery so that you can go into this procedure with all of your fears put to rest.

What sorts of tests will I need to have before my operation? The required tests be will different from one person to the next, but the standard tests include an EKG, urinalysis, complete blood count, chemistry panel, glucose tolerance test and a chest X-ray. A vaginal ultrasound might be performed on women to check for abnormalities. Some physicians order an ultrasound on the gall bladder and might request certain other evaluations, including a GI evaluation, an echocardiogram and pulmonary function testing. A sleep study might also be conducted.

Why do I need to have so many tests? There are many tests that need to be performed in order to have obesity surgery. Many people think that the amount of tests needed are not necessary but the fact is that your doctor is trying to prevent any complications from arising both during and after surgery. The surgeon will need to have an accurate assessment of your health and your body so that they can do what is necessary for your particular surgery.

Do I need to be on a special diet after surgery? Yes. Your stomach will not be able to process the foods you eat like it used to. You will need to have special dietary guidelines to follow very closely. In some cases the patient may need to be on a liquid diet right after surgery. Once you can tolerate that well then you can move onto soft foods or semi solid foods. It can take months before your stomach is ready to handle solid foods.

If you try to go too fast with the foods you eat, you may experience nausea and vomiting and even diarrhea. You do not want to stretch your stomach out and tear the new stomach pouch open that the surgeon has created. When you can eat solids you will only be able to eat 2 to 3 small meals each day. You will need to get your protein from turkey, chicken or fish as well as some low-fat sources.

Avoid high-fat foods such as butter, mayonnaise, gravy and margarine. You should also stay away from junk food of any type. You will need to drink at least two to three quarts of water daily, but make sure you drink it slowly. Never have a snack between meals. Avoid all flavored drinks, and make sure to drink all your liquids one sip at a time.

Will I have problems with hanging skin after the weight loss? Yes but there steps you can take to minimize this such as daily exercise. It is recommended that you get at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise daily to keep your body in shape. Some people have their skin stretches to far from being overweight for so long that they may require surgery to remove the excess skin.

Make sure you speak with your doctor in detail about any concerns you may have so you know exactly what to expect. You will probably need counseling before and after your obesity surgery to guide you through the entire process. This counseling will help you deal with the operation and know what you need to do in order to have successful obesity surgery.

Are you wondering if weight loss surgery could be the answer to your problems with weight? Are you tired of hauling around the excess weight or scared of what health consequences could come from obesity? If so, then there are some things to consider before you decide to go through with surgery.

The original use of weight loss surgery (often known as bariatric surgery) was really not intended for weight loss at all. The procedure was used to remove large ulcers from patient's stomachs, or to prevent the spread of cancer from the stomach to other areas of the body. When doctor's removed part of the stomach they happened to notice that weight loss was a natural side effect. That is when some doctors started using the procedure to help patients struggling with obesity.

Could You Be a Candidate for Weight Loss Surgery?

Obesity is one of the leading causes of poor health and a host of serious ailments and conditions. Diabetes is one of the most common weight-related illnesses along with things like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gallstones, an increased risk of arthritis, and heart disease. For those who are morbidly obese, the risks of not having the surgery are often greater than the complications of having the surgery, making it important to discuss all options with a surgeon or some other experienced health care professional.

In general, you could be considered a potential surgery patient if you are 80 or more pounds overweight as a woman, or over 100 pounds overweight as a man. This is a very general guideline as only a qualified surgeon can really determine whether a specific individual is ready for surgery. If you go for a consultation with a surgeon they will review your medical background and give you a physical screening. They are also likely to send you for mental screening to ensure you want the surgery for the right reasons, are competent to go through the process, and can adjust to nutritional requirements after surgery. Nutritional counseling is also performed prior to and after the surgery.

Options For Weight Loss Surgery

- Malabsorptive Surgery: This type of weight loss surgery, often called a gastric bypass, involves the shortening of the small intestine, which is where most of the digestive and absorption processes take place, and then reconnecting it back to the stomach in another location. This procedure that's often done along with a restrictive type of surgery at the same time results in less food being absorbed or digested, ideally bringing about weight loss.

The two main options your surgeon will likely present to you today are called malabsorptive surgery and restrictive surgery. The original bariatric surgeries are no longer available.

If you go through weight loss surgery you are going to lose weight. You will be able to eat less food and will learn through nutritional counseling how to eat properly to ensure your body gets all of the essential nutrients and vitamins it needs, and for as much as two years you could find yourself dropping the pounds quite easily. Yet, it is very important to remain in close contact with counselors and other support systems to ensure you do not become one of the many that gain all the weight right back.

- Restrictive Surgery: This type of surgery is referred to as gastric band surgery because it completely blocks off or removes a portion of the stomach. The goal is to literally create a smaller stomach pouch so you get full faster and are unable to eat large portions of food at once.